Facile Synthesis of Rambutan-Like ZnO Hierarchical Hollow Microspheres with Highly Photocatalytic Activity

Rambutan-like ZnO hierarchical hollow microspheres (ZnO HHMs) were constructed under hydrothermal conditions, using carboxyl methyl starch (CMS) as a soft template. The resulting products were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The experimental parameters and growth mechanism of rambutan-like ZnO HHMs were discussed in some detail. The as-prepared samples displayed improved photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation.